Celeb chef Paula Deen admits using 'N word'

Just Watched

Paula Deen admits to using racial slur

Story highlights

Deen used the "N word" in "quite different time in American history," company says

Food Network says it will "continue to monitor the situation"

"Ms. Deen does not condone or find the use of racial epithets acceptable," her lawyer says

Revelation of the language came in discrimination lawsuit filed by former employee

Celebrity chef Paula Deen denies she's ever told racial jokes, but she did acknowledge using the "N word," according to her deposition in a lawsuit.

A former manager at Deen's restaurants in Savannah, Georgia, is suing her and her brother for sexual and racial harassment.

LIsa T. Jackson's lawsuit alleges that Deen and Bubba Hier committed numerous acts of violence, discrimination and racism that resulted in the end of her five-year employment at Deen's Lady & Sons and Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House eateries in Savannah.

Deen's lawyer called the allegations false.

"Contrary to media reports, Ms. Deen does not condone or find the use of racial epithets acceptable," her lawyer, Bill Franklin said. "She is looking forward to her day in court."

Photos: Southern TV chef Paula Deen 7 photos

Photos: Southern TV chef Paula Deen7 photos

Southern TV chef Paula Deen – Southern TV personality and chef Paula Deen is the author of 14 cookbooks, runs a bi-monthly magazine and is the owner of Savannah restaurant The Lady and Sons. Here she attends the 2010 CMT Music Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Hide Caption

1 of 7

Photos: Southern TV chef Paula Deen7 photos

Southern TV chef Paula Deen – Dean and son Bobby host Moet Hennessy's The Q at Delano in Miami Beach on February 21.

Deen said she couldn't remember other contexts in which she used the slur, but "maybe in repeating something that was said to me."

"But that's just not a word that we use as time has gone on," she said. "Things have changed since the '60s in the South. And my children and my brother object to that word being used in any cruel or mean behavior."